Sunday, February 6, 2011

Metals technology specialists, with the support of Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, have unveiled how British manufacturing businesses can capitalise on one of the most important UK ecological initiatives worth an estimated £6.5bn.

The Special Metals Forum (SMF), in partnership with National Metals Technology Centre (NAMTEC), launched the first ever report into Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), the technologies employed and the opportunities available for UK businesses to capitalise on this highly niche sector.

Delegates from the UK's most advanced engineering and manufacturing industries gathered at the Advanced Manufacturing Park Technology Centre in Sheffield for the launch, which focuses on reductions in emissions from fossil fuelled power stations - identified as a major carbon reduction strategy in a 2010 Government report, with potential value to the UK economy of £6.5bn and the creation of up to 100,000 jobs by 2030.

The SMF is taking a leading role in informing the UK metals manufacturing industry of the opportunities presented by the emerging CCS marketplace, which is largely unexplored, and in providing support to companies entering the supply chain.

The Deputy Prime Minister said: "In order to grow, our economy must diversify, reducing its reliance on financial services and making the most of our expertise. The green economy has the potential to be an integral part of our economy, as well as being vital to the battle against climate change.

"I am delighted that this report identifies the opportunities in carbon capture and storage, and look forward to seeing how it is exploited to create jobs and growth in the UK."

Peter Birtles, SMF chairman, said: "The aim of this report is to provide the first ever review of the technology, materials and opportunities for carbon capture and storage for power generation, highlighting opportunities for metals companies to create a robust supply chain within the UK."

Alan Partridge, chief executive officer of NAMTEC, added: "Whilst the economic and environmental benefits of CCS have been widely discussed, the technological and manufacturing challenges still require significant development and offer a significant opportunity for the UK to capture a competitive advantage.

"Widespread deployment of carbon capture over the coming years is likely to necessitate a rapid expansion of existing supply chains, in addition to the emergence of new supply chains for developing equipment.

"Manufacturing companies in the UK and elsewhere are now starting to engage with the technical challenges involved in carbon capture."